Israeli demonstrators went on the streets on Saturday evening as Israeli forces spread their attacks on Gaza City. This has led to a new sense of urgency that calls for the government to halt operations and prioritize ceasefire contracts.
Over the weekend, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) attacked two skyscrapers in Gaza, amplifying the fear that a continuous operation could put relatives at risk after more than 700 days of bred, and attacking aggressively just to raise concern.
In a social media post with a video of one of Saturday’s strikes, Israeli Defense Minister Katz said, “We’ll continue,” showing the government’s clear intention to continue bashing Gaza city.
A few hours later, the protest began.
Alongside the weekly demonstrations in Tel Aviv, another group protested in Jerusalem outside the prime minister’s residence, culminating four days of target pressure on Benjamin Netanyahu and his government.
“We’re in a vital few minutes,” Viki Cohen, mother of hostage Nimrod Cohen, spoke to the Jerusalem crowd. “At this moment, my son’s fate could be determined.”
The protest appeared to be strengthened after a 48-hour period that highlighted the uncertainty of hostages. On Friday, when the Gaza War reached its 700th day, Hamas passed through Gaza city and released new propaganda footage of two hostages (Gai Gilboa Dalal and Aron O’Haru). The video marks the first appearance of 24-year-old O’Haal since being captured by Hamas during the attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Hours later, President Donald Trump told White House reporters that some of the 20 hostages estimated to be alive in Gaza may have “dead recently.”
The official Israeli hostage count has not changed, with 48 remaining in Gaza, of which 20 are believed to be alive.
But Trump’s statement reinforced the family’s fear that escalating attacks are at risk for their loved ones. On Friday, several hostage families said that Israeli military officials had explained that the operation could put the lives of prisoners of war.
“The conquest of Gaza poses a clear and imminent danger to hostages,” said Oona Neutra, mother of the late hostage Omer Neutra, in a speech at the weekend’s protest. She then told CNN:
Nutra referenced an incident in Rafa a year ago when Hamas killed six hostages as Israeli forces were portrayed nearby.
“Even though they want to move slowly without hurting the hostages, some things are beyond their control,” Nutra said of the IDF’s plan.
As security cabinets first approved the expansion of the war in early August, hostage families expanded their protest campaign to pressure the government to pursue the deal. Organizers report hundreds of thousands of Israelis taking part in weekly demonstrations.
As Trump confirmed Friday, widespread protests reached the White House. “The big Israeli protests about hostages put Israel in a tough position. I have never seen the level of love for their children,” he told reporters. But the massive turnout hasn’t convinced Netanyahu to proceed with the latest hostage deal at the table.
Last month, Hamas accepted Katari-Egypt’s proposal on a phased contract to release 10 living hostages and 18 dead hostages during a 60-day ceasefire. Israel ignored the offer and rejected it. Netanyahu now only calls for a comprehensive agreement to end the war with Israel’s greatest conditions, including all released hostages and Hamas disarmament.
On Saturday evening, Hamas said he was willing to “repeat its commitment and compliance with the contract” and consider a proposal to end the war.
Trump has repeatedly supported Netanyahu’s new negotiation strategy, threatening Hamas once again. “If we don’t lift all of the hostages, it’s going to be tough. It’s going to be awkward.” However, he also says the United States is in “very deep negotiations” with Hamas, raising hopes that the hostage family has hopes.
At the Central Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, Wide Banner spoke directly to the president. “Trump – Save the hostages now.”
